Matt Comer

‘Big Spending’ Democrats? Not in N.C.

Despite all the complaints and bellyaching about “out-of-control spending” from GOP circles across the state, a new study released by the NC Justice Center shows state spending could drop down to its lowest levels in nearly 40 years.

The study, released Tuesday, shows Gov. Bev Purdue’s approach to cutting the $3.3 billion revenue shortfall facing state govenmetn would drive state spending to its lowest level, as a share of state personal income, since 1972.

“Such historically low levels of state spending would cause severe harm to North Carolina’s vital public structures, just when people need state services most,” Edwin McLenaghan, of the NC Justice Center’s Budget & Tax Center, said in a release.

As instructed by Perdue, state agencies are expected to develop budget plans with cuts of 5, 10 and 15 percent. That’s on top of more than two years of spending cuts averaging nearly 10 percent.

“Protecting our critical investments in state services by reforming our tax system along with eliminating unjustified tax breaks and ineffective business incentives would help to ensure that the state has the healthy, well-educated and well-trained workforce necessary to pull North Carolina out of the recession,” said McLenaghan. “The alternative is fewer jobs and a blocked path to prosperity.”

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About the author:Matt Comer is the editor of QNotes, first hired to serve in the role in October 2007. He can be reached via email at editor@goqnotes.com or via phone at 704-531-9988, ext. 202. Follow him online at facebook.com/matthew.mh.comer or at twitter.com/themattcomer.

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